Things to see and do Larochette

The Lords of Larochette, thought to have descended from the House of Ouren, appeared towards the end of the 12th^century . They quickly became influential and the most loyal vassals of the Count of Luxembourg. The ruins of Larochette castle, situated on a promontory of Luxembourg sandstone, tower some 150 m above the valley of the Ernz Blanche, a confluence of the Sûre. Access to the spur passes through a vast bailey protected by an earthen fortification. The main castle, built of ashlar, is surrounded by an enclosure, now largely destroyed. A deep moat, partly of natural origin, divides the château into two parts. At the end of the 16th^century , a fire destroyed the castle, which has been in ruins ever since. However, two of the fortress's five manor houses (in addition to those of the ten families responsible for its upkeep) are still visible: the maison de Hombourg and the maison de Créhange. The House of Hombourg was built in 1350, as a result of the alliance between brothers Frédéric and Conrad, Lords of Hombourg, and sisters Irmgard and Mathilde de Larochette. It was consolidated and its cellar restored in 1987 and 1988. The Créhange house was built around 1385 and completely restored between 1983 and 1987.

The château has been owned by the Luxembourg state since 1979, and hosts temporary exhibitions, as well as concerts for special events. Various restoration projects are still underway.

Of the original fortified castle first mentioned in the second half of the 12th century, only the chapel, the moat and part of the surrounding wall remain. It has indeed been destroyed several times. The present building dates from 1880 and was erected in neo-Renaissance style by the Count of Arenberg according to the plans of the architect Charles Arendt. Today it is a private residence that cannot be visited. However, the local path L2 along the brook "Manzebaach" allows you to take a look.

The tourist office of Larochette, whose building has been completely renovated in winter 2019-2020, offers numerous brochures on Larochette and its region, and sells the LuxembourgCard as well as various walking maps of the Luxembourg Little Switzerland region and the national map of bicycle paths. Its brochures can be downloaded from its website. You will also find information on accommodation and restaurants, as well as many souvenirs of the region, postcards and regional products.